Aberdeen man charged in weekend hotel armed robberies

KRISHANA DAVIS, kdavis@baltsun.com

An Aberdeen man was charged Tuesday in three armed robberies from the weekend, the Aberdeen Police Department said.

Matthew Steven Allen, 33, of the 300 block of Stevens Circle, was charged with two counts of first-degree assault, one count of second-degree assault, two counts of robbery, two counts of possession of a handgun, two counts of use of firearm in a violent crime, theft less than $1,000 and two counts of theft less than $100, police said.

Lt. Fred Budnick, spokesman for Aberdeen Police, said a black man wearing a camouflage face mask entered the La Quinta Inn, in the 700 block of West Bel Air Avenue, around 9:50 p.m. Saturday, displayed a handgun and demanded money.

The suspect was given an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the scene, Budnick said. The motel clerk was not injured.

In the second incident, the same suspect, again displaying a handgun, entered the Travel Lodge, in the 800 block of West Bel Air Avenue, around 12:55 a.m. Sunday and demanded money, Budnick said.

The suspect and motel clerk started fighting and the suspect eventually fled with an undisclosed amount of cash, Budnick said. He said the clerk was treated for "minor injuries at the scene."

Later on Saturday, the suspect entered the Red Roof Inn, in the 900 block of Hospitality Way, around 7:25 p.m. and displayed a handgun and demanded money, Budnick said.

The suspect fled after receiving an undisclosed amount of cash, Budnick said. The motel clerk was not hurt.

Allen was arrested Monday night near his home without incident, Budnick said. He is being held on $250,000 bond at the Harford County Detention Center in Bel Air.